June 30, 2026 Joint Board of Supervisors/Planning Commission Special Business Meeting

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission held a joint special business meeting on June 30, 2026, to discuss several major land use and policy items. The meeting covered updates on the Western Loudoun Rural Uses and Standards (WLRUS) project, the Data Center Standards and Locations Phase 2 initiative, the Planning Commission's decision-making process, and an emergency resolution concerning transmission line routes near Rock Ridge High School.

Western Loudoun Rural Uses and Standards (WLRUS) Project Plan Timeline

• Staff presented an updated timeline for the WLRUS project. The Board of Supervisors amended the project plan on June 2, 2026, replacing the Zoning Ordinance Committee (ZOC) review with an ad hoc committee consisting of five ZOC members and four Planning Commissioners. The committee is expected to hold an orientation in mid-July, followed by meetings from August to November. An informational item will go to the ZOC in December, with a Planning Commission public hearing in January 2027, work sessions in February and March, a Board public hearing in May, and adoption in July 2027.
• Board Chair Randall explained that the condensed timeline was partly due to 2027 being an election year, when the Board is less available.
• Planning Commissioner Myers asked about public input opportunities for the ad hoc committee. Staff clarified that meetings will be open to the public but will not include a public comment period. Commissioner Myers and others emphasized the importance of public input, especially for rural stakeholders.
• Commissioner Frank suggested scheduling separate meetings for the WLRUS public hearing to avoid conflicts with other agenda items and to allow earlier start times. Planning Commission Chair Kears agreed to consider this.
• Commissioner Jasper raised concerns about the three-month gap between the committee's conclusion and the Planning Commission's review, noting that dense material may need to be relearned. Staff noted that the four commissioners on the committee will bring institutional knowledge.

Data Centers Standards and Locations Phase 2

• Randall Farron, Program Manager, provided an overview of Phase 2 of the Data Center Standards and Locations project. The project aims to develop nuanced policy guidance for data center special exceptions, including site design, building design, noise, water, energy, and definitions. It also covers substations, on-site power generation, battery energy storage, and microgrids. No remapping is associated with this phase.
• The timeline has slipped by about five months due to various reasons, and the project is now expected to be completed by spring/summer 2027. Staff is currently in the amendment drafting phase, with stakeholder outreach planned in about six weeks, followed by a Board check-in in fall 2026.
• Supervisor Kears asked about emerging technologies like solid fuel cells and natural gas infrastructure. Staff confirmed they are studying these technologies through consultants.
• Supervisor Briskman expressed frustration with timeline slippage and questioned the overlap between Phase 2 and the Electrical Infrastructure Working Group. She also asked about the county's ability to adjust noise ordinances to hold data centers accountable. Staff indicated they are exploring decibel level adjustments and measurement methods.
• Supervisor Turner proposed a framework for evaluating on-site power sources based on six factors: noise, power, water, emissions, setback, and appearance. He also raised concerns about applying new noise standards to existing data centers (currently 55 dB at receiving property line). Staff noted they are working on incentives for retrofits.
• Supervisor Glass asked about new definitions for substations. Staff explained they are adding nuance to distinguish between air-insulated, gas-insulated, and hybrid substations.
• Planning Commissioner Myers asked about smaller data centers in industrial parks that are not large-scale, suggesting a different definition or use category. Staff acknowledged this.
• Commissioner Myers also noted that the 55 dB noise standard originated from airport noise studies in the 1989-1990 period.

Electrical Infrastructure Working Group Update

• Jonathan Zader, Senior Assistant County Attorney, provided an update on the Electrical Infrastructure Working Group, formed after the June 2, 2025 Board motion. The group held meetings on June 8, 15, and 22, 2026, with about 50 participants including county staff, Dominion Energy, NOVEC, data center industry representatives, and community members selected by the Loudoun Coalition of Homeowners and Condominium Associations.
• The group discussed countywide electrical infrastructure needs, specific substation applications (Aspen, Golden, Barrister, Demos), and substation design types (air-insulated vs. gas-insulated). No formal decisions were made; the group is focused on information sharing.
• Supervisor Briskman expressed concerns about the group's lack of public openness and project creep. She noted that HOA representatives cannot fully inform all county constituents. She requested that all Board offices be notified of future meetings. County Attorney Rogers clarified that the group is a staff committee, not a public body, but documents are subject to FOIA.
• Vice Chair Turner explained that the group was created to allow open dialogue among stakeholders, including Dominion, data centers, and the community. He emphasized that the group is not a decision-making body but aims to surface relevant facts.
• Commissioner Banks requested a briefing on substation design options and their appropriateness for different situations. Staff agreed to prepare such a briefing.
• Commissioner Myers asked for earlier notification of community meetings related to substation applications. She also suggested strengthening the commission permit process for substations to give the county more leverage.

Planning Commission Decision Making Process and Recommendations

• Planning Commission Chair Kears discussed the distinct roles of the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. He noted that the Planning Commission focuses on land use and zoning, while the Board considers broader political implications. He emphasized that the Planning Commission often makes significant changes to applications but that these changes are not always fully reflected in staff reports to the Board.
• Commissioner Miller echoed that the Planning Commission's role is to